Governor Bios

Karen Menis – Member of governing body by virtue of position in school

Term: 01/03/17 – 28/02/21

My name is Karen Menis. I am proud to be the Headteacher of Shakespeare Primary School since its opening in September 2009.

I have worked in Honicknowle since 1997, when I joined Chaucer Primary School as its Deputy before shortly taking over its leadership as the Headteacher. I am committed to improving both the educational and social outcomes for children and families within our community.

Alongside my dedicated and caring staff team, we work to provide active and fun-filled learning experiences for our pupils, to enable them to become well-rounded citizens who can contribute positively to society.

My leisure time is spent with my husband walking the coastal path, nurturing our garden and being creative in the kitchen. We also enjoy travelling and spending time with our grandchildren.

Mandy Reid – Parent Governor

Term: 05/01/16 – 04/01/20

I have been a Governor of Shakespeare Primary School since January 2015 and joined as a Parent Governor as I have two children that attend the school. I believe every child should have access to the best education possible and I hope that as a Governor I can help the school to develop and progress and to adapt to the continuing changes in the education system.

I live locally and work at the University of Plymouth where my role is to approve and review courses. I have a Degree in Applied Economics and have been in administration most of my life. I believe some of these skills benefit the Shakespeare Governing Body.

Recently I have become Vice Chair as well as being the Early Years Link Governor. It is important to get to know the school through visits and to see the children learning within the classroom. It is pleasing to see the school progress and was really pleased when the school received a Good in its most recent Ofsted.

I am married and my interests include family history and watching my son play football. As all parents I am also a very good taxi driver.

Joan Hodges – Associate Member

Term: 28/02/17 – 01/03/21

I have been a governor for over 27 years and was a Governor of Chaucer Primary School prior to its merging with West Park Primary School to form Shakespeare School. I am married and have two children who went to West Park Primary School and they had a great education. As a result I wanted to give back something to the community and being a Governor seemed to be a good way of doing this.

I enjoy meeting the children and seeing them progress in their education and to see their confidence grow when watching them in performances and in a class environment. I believe a Governor is a critical friend to the school and is there to support the teachers provide the best education possible.

I have lived in the local community since 1953 and believe that the school is an integral part of this community

I was very proud to receive long service awards from Plymouth City Council that recognised my service. It is a pleasure to be a Governor of Shakespeare Primary School and seeing it continue to provide a rounded education for our pupils.

Mark Moore – Co-opted Governor

Term: 28/02/17 – 01/03/21

My name is Mark Moore and I have lived in Honicknowle for 21 years. I like to be involved in my local community. I have an interest in sport and played when I was younger but now live my sporting life through my son. He was one of the first school children to go through the gates of the new school.

I was asked to become a governor by parents in the class and got involved as a parent governor. I am now a co-opted governor and currently chair of the Premises Committee which involves a great responsibility in keeping the whole school safe and secure with help from the governance team.

I work at Princess Yachts and I am involved in the logistics and quality team which are the skills I bring to the governor’s role.

Sean Jennings – Associate Member

Term: 23/06/16 – 22/06/20

My name is Sean Jennings and for the past four years I have been a Governor at Shakespeare Primary School. Being retired I am able to be part of the school during term times and enjoy being involved in class visits and being part of a curriculum team and attending their meetings.

My professional background was in Personnel Management and therefore I have wide ranging experiences in this field, which I feel can be of benefit to the school. I have a strong philosophical and passionate commitment to raising and broadening the educational achievement and experience of all pupils, both to help children lead happy and fulfilled lives, and to avoid the waste of talent and ability that I regretfully have too often experienced in my life.

I am committed to being part of the Shakespeare Team and helping the school to continually strive for improvement. I am proud to be a Governor of this school and be part of the wider community.

Mark Corber – Parent Governor

Term: 06/01/14 – 04/01/18

My name is Mark Corber and I am lucky to be a parent governor of Shakespeare Primary School. I have one child at the school and I am a Governor because I want to give something back to the school that has educated my children. I am currently on the Premises Committee and am a Link Governor for Year 4.

As a Governor I believe that parents need to have an active voice and I am enthused about the potential the school has. I wish to see Shakespeare School continue to develop and be recognised for the work it does with its pupils.

My background is varied and I have held various jobs, including in Security. My personal interests include snooker, keeping pigeons and being a Parish Church Council member at Brentor. I also support and help fund-raise for the charity CHICS.

Andrew Bowden – Co-opted Governor

Term: 17/01/17 – 16/01/21

My name is Andy Bowden and I am the Chaplain at All Saints Academy in Plymouth. I am married to Bethany and we have two boys, Benjamin and Thomas.

I have spent many years working with young people. Before ordination I was the Youth Worker at St Andrew’s Church in Plymouth for 9 years. After that I went to Theological College in Oxford and was ordained in 2011. My curacy took me to All Saints Church Laleham, part of London Diocese. I spent four very happy years in Surrey, first as curate then as associate vicar, before swopping one All Saints for another and returning to Plymouth as Chaplain at All Saints Academy. I also have a youth advisory role within Plymouth Deanery, supporting the Bishop of Plymouth.

I am an avid armchair fan of most sports, now that my best playing days are behind me. I particularly enjoy watching rugby, following Tottenham Hotspur football club and cheering on various nieces and nephews in their sporting endeavours. Other passions include music, reading historical fiction and, when I manage to get to the coast, surfing.

Judi Vine – Co-opted Governor

Term: 20/0916 – 19/01/20

My name is Judi Vine and I have lived in Plymouth since 1984 having moved around somewhat prior to that. I am a Geordie but left Newcastle at the age of 18. I have 2 grown up children, one grandson and numerous great nieces and nephews, none of whom live locally.

I retired 9 years ago after a career in Education. I taught maths (amongst other things as one has to do at times) at secondary level but as I took on more responsibility, my time in the classroom was limited although I always taught. I came to Plymouth in 1984 to be Head of Maths, then a Senior Teacher at Eggbuckland. Following on from that, I was Vice Principal at Tamarside from 1989 until I retired. I saw the school through turbulent times initially but took it to a very good OFSTED rating. I have had responsibility for all areas of school management but my main focus was always pupil learning and the curriculum offered.

I believe all children can achieve and have talents. They need praise to see success, however it comes, and encouragement to achieve the best they can.

Nic Beswetherick – Teacher Governor

Term: 14/07/15 - 13/07/19

Hi, I'm Nic Beswetherick. I became a staff governor at Shakespeare in July 2015 but have been working at the school since 2012. I have taught in a number of schools across the city after beginning my teaching career nearly 10 years ago in London. I first became interested in being a governor to gain a different perspective of the school through different eyes. It is very interesting and a role that I very much enjoy.

I am inspired to continue my service as a governor to ensure we get the very best for the children of Shakespeare primary school and the community we serve.

Tristan Good – Co-opted Governor

Term: 12/07/16 – 11/07/20

My name is Tristan Good, I am 41 years old, and I have served in Her Majesty’s Prison Service for 11 years both in Wiltshire and Devon areas. I have one son, Arthur, who attends Shakespeare Primary School at the time of writing.

I very much enjoy being involved above and beyond the norm and being a part of making the school the very best that it can be, supporting the staff and teachers constructively, and I am totally committed to ensuring that together we maximise the school's and the children's potential.

Brian Royle – Local Authority Governor

Term: 19/01/16 – 18/01/20

Hello – my name is Brian Royle. The reason that I became a school governor was that I wished to return all the help I received whilst undertaking my schooling back to where it all began, in the first level of education. I wish to see our children succeed and for them to enjoy schooling; showing confidence in their abilities that will aid them through these precious years and hopefully beyond.

I am soon to become a grandad for the 10th time, so childrens' education is very important to me. They are your/my/our future so it is imperative that they get a good start in their schooling and I think here at Shakespeare we have the people who care and are able to push your children to excel in all they do.

When I am not working in the dockyard as a Storeman or as union convenor, I like to visit the St Boniface Arena and watch my favourite sport, Speedway.